26 Oct Philadelphia Monthly Arts Round-Up: November 2023
BY SOPHIA ABRAHAM-RAVESON
Please refer to the official websites for events to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information about ticketing, reservations, delays, re-scheduling, cancellations, and other guest policies for venues, including relevant COVID-19 requirements. Inclusion in the Philadelphia Monthly Arts Round-Up does not signify cinéSPEAK’s endorsement of an event or organization’s mission or political affiliations.
The city of Philadelphia has plenty going on in November: the municipal election on November 7, peak football season (go birds!), and the early return of the Jolly Trolley. But there is still time to enjoy the many film screenings and events happening throughout Philadelphia this month. There are several film festivals in November, as well as celebrations of another year of great Philly-made films.
Some highlights of the month include the 2023 Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (PAAFF) and Big Picture Alliance’s Fund Film Futures annual fundraiser. We are also looking forward to cinéSPEAK’s Best of Fests short film program celebrating locally-made films that were featured in Philadelphia film festivals this year.
Thursday, November 2 – Sunday, November 12, 2023
Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (PAAFF)
The Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (PAAFF) showcases and celebrates Asian and Pacific Islander diaspora storytellers and their works. This November, the annual festival is back, showcasing 10 feature films in person and many more feature and short films online. There will also be workshops, performances, and parties. A few highlights from PAAFF include the panel discussion The Fight For Our Communities: Stories From Save Chinatown And Save Uc Townhomes, the screenings of Peafowl and Coming Around, and 12Gates & PAAFF’s Contemporary Video Art Exhibition. Read cinéSPEAK’s PAAFF 2023 festival preview to learn more!
Cost: $0-$75
Located at venues across the city and virtually
Friday, November 3, 2023 at 7 PM
Storyville: Harvey: Eyes on the Struggle
Harvey: Eyes on the Struggle shows the work of Harvey Finkle, noted Philadelphia documentary photographer, over the years 2018-2022 as he embeds himself with different social justice movements and organizations to tell their stories.
Cost: $5 suggested donation
Scribe Video Center — 3908 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 1 PM
Off Page Film Festival
The Manayunk-based film festival is designed as a platform for talented artists to be recognized for their projects and get them the industry exposure to help sustain their craft. Attend the one day festival and enjoy some indie films, music, and food.
Cost: $15-25
7 Lock Street, Philadelphia, PA 19127
Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 5:30 PM
cinéSPEAK x PAAFF present: In Process with Anula Shetty
Join cinéSPEAK and PAAFF for an intimate communing with award winning filmmaker and new media artist Anula Shetty. This event will feature select excerpts of Shetty’s recent cinematic works. Shetty will be in conversation with multidisciplinary artist Sophie Lee. Learn more about Shetty’s artistry in the Philadelphia Artist Spotlight: Anula Shetty. More information on viewing Anula Shetty’s new augmented reality public art project Philly Daydreams: Stories In Transit can be found on the Mural Arts website.
Cost: $5 to $15, pay-what-you-can
Asian Arts Initiative — 1219 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Friday, November 10, 2023 at 6 PM
Producers’ Forum: Marco Williams
This program features a special screening of Murders that Matter followed by a panel discussion entitled “The Weight: Documenting Black Death and Anti-Black Violence.” Murders that Matter is a documentary by Marco Williams set in Philadelphia. In the aftermath of her youngest son’s murder, Movita Johnson-Harrell vows to save all other sons from gun violence. The post-screening conversation will feature filmmaker Marco Williams and literary scholar and cultural critic Dr. Deborah McDowell. The event will engage with questions such as: What does it mean to make films that deal with Black death? What are the decisions you make as a filmmaker about what you show and don’t show? Do these films empower a Black audience?
Cost: $7.50 General Admission, $5 Students/Seniors, $4 Scribe Members
Scribe Video Center — 3908 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Saturday, November 11 – Sunday, 18, 2023
Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media Fall Fest
Celebrate Jewish cinematic and digital storytelling near and far with Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media’s 43rd annual festival, taking place in person in Philly and the surrounding suburbs. There are a variety of films screening, including a collection of short films about Jewish and Muslim people in Morocco, a remembrance of the actor Gene Wilder, and the Rugrats movie.
Cost: $10-15
Located at venues across the city
Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 7 PM
cinéSPEAK Best of Fests 2023
Join cinéSPEAK for our 2nd annual Best of Fests. In this interrogative program, we highlight some of our favorite short films from Philly-based filmmakers recently selected by our region’s film festivals. This program was curated by cinéSPEAK Assistant Director of Programs, Vernon Jordan III and is free to attend. After the screening, stay for a special Q&A with the filmmakers.
Cost: Free
The Rotunda — 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 7 PM
Big Picture Alliance’s Fund Film Futures
Fund Film Futures is a fundraiser to support Big Picture Alliance’s youth filmmaking programs across Philadelphia. This event brings together BPA’s diverse network of community members, industry partners, and civic leaders to celebrate the work of young filmmakers and ensure ALL youth have access to digital media education and career pathways. Read the Philadelphia Organization Spotlight: Big Picture Alliance to learn more about their work.
Cost: $25 – $50
World Cafe Live — 3025 Walnut St Philadelphia, PA 19104
Other Events:
Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at 8 PM
Día de los Muertos Vigil with Dolce Suono Ensemble
Cost: Free
Fleisher Art Memorial — 719 Catharine St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 6 PM
“Little Windows” Preview Event
Cost: Free
Vox Populi — 319 N 11th Street Third Floor Philadelphia, PA 19107
Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 7 PM
Cost: $10 General Admission, $8 Students/Seniors, Free for Members/UArts Students/UArts Faculty & Staff
Lightbox Film Center — 401 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Friday, November 3, 2023 at 7 PM
Paint the Dance Floor: Glitz and Glam
Cost: Free
Institute of Contemporary Art — 118 S. 36th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Friday, November 3, 2023 at 7 PM
Cost: $10 General Admission, $8 Students/Seniors, Free for Members/UArts Students/UArts Faculty & Staff
Lightbox Film Center — 401 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 7 PM
The Secret Cinema presents Archive Discoveries: Unseen Curiosities From the Secret Cinema Collection
Cost: $10 General Admission, $8 Students/Seniors, Free for Members/UArts Students/UArts Faculty & Staff
Lightbox Film Center — 401 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at 7 PM
Cost: $10 General Admission, $8 Students/Seniors, Free for Members/UArts Students/UArts Faculty & Staff
Lightbox Film Center — 401 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Thursday, November 16, 2023
Public Reception: Marian Anderson: Exploring the Gown
Cost: Free
Fleisher Art Memorial — 719 Catharine St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
November 16 and 17, 2023 at 7 PM
Cost: $15 – $45
Bartram’s Garden — 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19143
Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 3 PM
Cost: Free for children & seniors; $5 for adults
Teatro Esperanza — 4261 North 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140
Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 5:30 PM
From Revolution to Catastrophe: In the Trap of Empire
Cost: Free
Widener Auditorium, Penn Museum — 3260 South Street Philadelphia, PA 19104
Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 7 PM
Cost: $10 General Admission, $8 Students/Seniors, Free for Members/UArts Students/UArts Faculty & Staff
Lightbox Film Center — 401 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
*Featured Image: Image of guests at the 2023 PAAFF Preview Party. Image Credit: Vinh Dang.
Would you like your event to be featured in a future round-up? Please fill out the Philadelphia Monthly Arts Round-Up form at least one month prior to the event. Note: events shared less than a month ahead of time may not be able to make our publishing schedule. The cinéSPEAK Journal maintains sole discretion over the publishing of any information provided via the form. Questions: journal@cinespeak.org
Sophia Abraham-Raveson is the Managing Editor for the cinéSPEAK Journal. She has previously worked for several Philadelphia-based film festivals, including BlackStar and Tri-Co Film Festival.
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